A THIRD lane to ease traffic congestion over the Menai Straits would be a bridge too far fetched, according to a Welsh Assembly minister.

A THIRD lane to ease traffic congestion over the Menai Straits would be a bridge too far fetched, according to a Welsh Assembly minister.

A third lane on the Britannia Bridge would be technically feasible but expensive says Welsh Office Environment Minister Sue Essex in a letter to the island's AM, Ieuan Wyn Jones, who had requested a meeting with her to discuss the matter.

Mr Jones explained that there is a substantial build up of traffic over the bridge at certain peak times during the day, particularly between eight and nine in the morning when people leave the island to get to work in Bangor and other towns further along the coast.

During the late afternoon, the traffic flows the other way from around 3.30pm when people once more start on their return journeys.

He added that there is now a bottleneck on the bridge with just local traffic and that a new ferry due to start using Holyhead Port can carry 1300 cars, which is equivalent to a three mile tailback.

Mr Jones had written to Assembly Environment Minister Sue Essex to ask for an approximate cost of changing the present two lane system to three lanes.

"The minister appears to be very reluctant to tell me how much this will cost," said Mr Jones.

"The minister further states that 'I do not believe that it is appropriate for us to further explore the third lane for Britannia Bridge at this time.'

Mr Jones responded: "From the responses I've received from constituents and from the letters appearing in the press, it seems that most of the people of Anglesey agree with me that it is very appropriate to explore this possibility."